CRISTIANO RONALDO EXPLAINS TEARFUL REACTION TO HIS PORTUGAL PENALTY MISS AS HE DROPS HUGE RETIREMENT HINT WITH SURPRISE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP DECLARATION
- All-time great waiting on first goal at Euro 2024
- Saw Oblak save spot-kick in last-16 clash
- Will not grace the continental competition again
WHAT HAPPENED?
Having failed to find the target during the group stage, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was determined to make a decisive contribution in a last-16 showdown with Slovenia. He fired in several free-kicks, while coming close to meeting a number of crosses, but was given his big moment in extra-time when stepping up to the spot. CR7 saw his effort beaten away by Jan Oblak, leaving the Portuguese superstar in tears.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ronaldo, who is competing at his 11th major international tournament, went on to admit that this summer’s European Championship will be his last. He added, with it impossible for the evergreen frontman to go on forever: “It’s certainly my last Euro. But I’m not moved by that, I’m moved by everything that football entails. The enthusiasm I have for the game, the excitement of seeing my fans, and my family, the affection that people have for me. It’s not because I’m leaving football, because if I do, what else is there for me to do or win? It’s not going to come down to one more point or one less point. Making people happy is what motivates me the most.”